Under the fire of a charism that has crossed borders and centuries, the Vedruna family of Carmel Caracas officially began the celebration of its Bicentennial, with the motto “Generous Love, Mission that Inspires”. The congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna and the educational community invited all the parishioners and the media to the grand opening of this jubilee year.
The event took place this Sunday, February 1, at the facilities of Colegio El Carmelo, located on Guayana Street in Las Acacias, Caracas.
A path of life, love and dedication
Two hundred years ago, in the Manso Escorial, St. Joaquina de Vedruna planted a seed that, watered by faith, love and service, has grown into a leafy tree with branches spread over four continents. The Congregation of Carmelite Sisters of Charity Vedruna, together with the entire Charismatic Family, pauses for a moment along the way to remember with gratitude, to celebrate the fidelity of the God who calls us and to project ourselves into the future with renewed hope.
This Bicentennial is not only the commemoration of a historical date; it is an opportunity to rediscover the Vedruna Charism and renew ourselves in the mission, in a key of synodality as our church asks of us today.
Following Joaquina’s invitation to us: ‘To be born with Jesus to a new life’, we want to allow the Spirit to transform us and impel us to respond with courage and creativity to the signs of the times.
A day of faith, sport, music and family
The celebration of this Bicentennial in our school seeks to honor the legacy of St. Joaquina de Vedruna, whose mission has been based on three fundamental pillars: education, health and the mission to the poorest. The programming for this time will include:
- Opening Eucharist: A solemn thanksgiving to begin the Bicentennial year in communion.
- Music and Worship: We have the participation of outstanding Catholic music ministries.
- Bicentennial Cup: Inauguration of the sports tournament with the participation of various schools of the capital, promoting the encounter through sports.
- Expo-Charisma: A space where various religious congregations presented their life and mission, showing the richness of consecrated life in the Church of Caracas.
A legacy that is renewed
To celebrate the Bicentennial is not only to look at the past, but to reaffirm our commitment to the present. The Vedruna Family of Colegio El Carmelo has lived and wants to live a time of grace and joy, that as a family we discover the happiness that unites us in the same charism.
May this time of celebration be a space to give thanks, to dream together and to continue to light up the world “with love and more love that never says enough”.
Like Joaquina, we want to continue to proclaim the Kingdom with passion and dedication, so that, with Jesus, we may be born each day to a new life.
Prof. Giclis Santamaria
